Device for forming expansion joints between covered floor or wall area sections

ABSTRACT

A device for forming expansion joints between sections of covered floor or wall areas comprises two angle sections slidingly engaging each other parallel with the floor or wall surfaces. A first angle section comprises a fastening leg and a vertically-extending terminating leg. There are two legs on the terminating leg forming an outwardly-directed pocket. The pocket-forming legs are slidingly engaged by a sliding leg of the second angle section. The sliding leg extends from the top of the terminating leg of the second angle section, the terminating leg being molded on a fastening leg as well. The terminating leg of the first angle section has an approximately “S” shape, in which the upper part of the terminating leg forms the pocket-forming legs for receiving the sliding leg. The lower part of the terminating leg forms a chamber for receiving mortar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a device for forming expansion or moving joints between covered floor or wall area sections. The invention comprises two angle sections that engage each other in a sliding manner parallel with the surfaces of the wall or floor. A first angle section is formed by a fastening leg and a terminating leg disposed vertically in relation to the fastening leg, and has two legs forming a pocket. These two pocket-forming legs are directed outwards in relation to the terminating leg of the first angle section. The two pocket-forming legs are engaged by a sliding leg of the second angle section. This sliding leg is disposed vertically spaced relative to the top of the terminating leg of the second angle section. The terminating leg of the second angle section is vertically molded onto a fastening leg and extends vertically as well.

[0003] 2. The Prior Art

[0004] A device for defining floor and wall area sections is known from laid-open German patent specification DE-OS 44 03 383. The angle sections employed in this patent are made of aluminum, brass or a hard plastic material. These angle sections can be manufactured in the form of extruded sections. The required pockets therefore can be formed in a simple way on a first angle section, and the corresponding sliding leg of the second angle profile is guided in the pockets, and locked there in a sliding manner. These angle sections are secured in the known way with their fastening legs shaped by molding on the terminating legs. The fastening legs have breakthroughs for securing the legs in adhesive mortar. The surfaces of the legs coming into contact with the adhesive can be equipped with clamping elements or provided with roughed spots. With such devices, the pockets are shaped by molding on an angle section in a cantilevered form. A pitching moment acts on this section within the area of the joint when it is vertically stressed while it is being installed. Such a pitching moment may lead to detachment of the section.

[0005] In practical applications, such devices have to be manufactured from materials that cannot be produced from extruded materials in an economically justifiable way, for example from stainless steel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device of the type specified above that can be manufactured with simple technical manufacturing means from metal sheet materials with a-relatively small wall thickness. Such a device can be installed in the floor structure in a particularly safe manner.

[0007] These and other objects are accomplished by a device comprising two angle sections slidingly engaging each other parallel with the floor or wall surfaces. A first angle section comprises a fastening leg and a vertically-extending terminating leg. There are two legs on the terminating leg forming an outwardly-directed pocket. The pocket-forming legs are slidingly engaged by a sliding leg of the second angle section. The sliding leg extends from the top of the terminating leg of the second angle section, the terminating leg being molded on a fastening leg as well. The terminating leg of the first angle section has an approximately “S” shape, in which the upper part of the terminating leg forms the pocket-forming legs for receiving the sliding leg. The lower part of the terminating leg forms a chamber for receiving mortar that is filled in between the floor surface and the terminating leg of the first angle section.

[0008] The angle sections can be manufactured by rolling or chamfering methods from sheet material that can processed in a suitable manner in an extrusion process. Sheet materials with a low thickness can be employed. When the angle sections with the pockets are installed, they are also supported by the mortar that has to be filled in the formed chambers. These angle sections are therefore provided with high stability after their installation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is to be understood, however, that the drawing is designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0010] The drawing shows a cross-sectional view through the device as defined by the invention, installed between two floor sections covered with ceramic tiles, with an expansion joint between the two sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011] The drawing shows a joint 4 formed in the known way in a concrete floor 7 with a compensation layer 3 arranged on top of the floor. The floor sections defined by the joint are covered with the ceramic tiles 1 and 2. Other floor materials can be employed in the same way as well.

[0012] The upwardly extending expansion joint between the tiles is formed by the device according to the invention, denoted by the reference numeral 8. Device 8 consists of a first angle section 81 and a second angle section 82 having a sliding leg 824, which engages the first angle section 81 for guiding sliding leg 824 in a pocket 818 on first angle section 81. Reference numeral 5 denotes a filler material located between the two angle sections 81 and 82.

[0013] First angle section 81 consists of a fastening leg 811 provided with breakthroughs 812, and a terminating leg that is shaped by molding on the fastening leg and which has an approximately S-shaped cross section. The lower part 813 of that terminating leg forms a chamber 814 that is open toward the adjoining tile. When inserted in a laying mortar 6, mortar 6 completely penetrates and fills chamber 6 for supporting upper section 815 of the terminating leg. Upper part 815 of this terminating leg forms pocket 818, which is open toward the other side, and which is defined by the legs 817 and 818.

[0014] The associated second angle section 82, with has a fastening leg 821 provided with breakthroughs 822, is correspondingly laid in laying mortar 6 beneath the adjoining ceramic tiles 2. Terminating leg 823 is produced on fastening leg 821 by chamfering or slightly rolling it. A sliding leg 824 is formed on the top end of terminating leg 823 and extends outwards in the direction of pocket 818, with a vertical offset “H” that approximately corresponds with the thickness of the sheet material of leg 816 of pocket 818. In its engaging section, sliding leg 824 is formed by two layers, which are produced by a smoothly abutting bend of its outer section. An expansion or separation joint can be correspondingly formed also in a wall area.

[0015] Accordingly, while only a single embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for forming expansion or moving joints between covered floor or wall area sections, comprising: a first angle section comprising a fastening leg and an approximately S-shaped terminating leg, an upper part of said terminating leg forming a pocket comprising two pocket-forming legs, said two pocket-forming legs being disposed vertically outwards in relation to the fastening leg of said angle section, and a lower part of the terminating leg of the first angle section forming a chamber which is open toward the fastening leg and adapted receive mortar filled between an adjoining floor or wall coating and the terminating leg to support the device; and a second angle section comprising a fastening leg, a terminating leg being molded vertically on the fastening leg, and a sliding leg extending vertically spaced from a top end of the terminating leg, said sliding leg slidingly engaging the pocket of the first angle section.
 2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the first angle section is a sheet metal section made of stainless steel, said sheet metal section being chamfered or rolled multiple times.
 3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the second angle section is a sheet metal section made of stainless steel chamfered or rolled multiple times, and wherein the sliding leg is molded onto an end of the terminating leg and is directed outwards in a curved manner and has a vertical offset (H) having the approximate thickness of one of the pocket-forming legs of the first angle section.
 4. The device according to claim 3 , wherein the an engaging portion of the sliding leg is formed by a double layer bent over by a defined area by about 180° and arranged abutting a remaining portion of said sliding leg. 